Streamlined News: Brazil Day 1 Highlights; Boston Victim’s Fundraiser

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 23. BRAZIL kicked off the first day of world championship trials in Rio de Janeiro with two swimmers making the roster in individual events. Nicolas Oliveira swam a 1:48.10 in the prelims of the 200 free to give him the opportunity to swim that event in Barcelona. Oliveira couldn't match that swim in finals, falling to third with a 1:50.47. And Etiene Medeiros made the team, swimming a 1:01.00 in the women's 100 backstroke preliminaries before winning the event with a 1:02.19. Also racing the 200 free was NCAA champion Joao de Lucca, but because he did not conform to meet rules requiring him to be registered with a local club, he was not allowed to swim in the final. After swimming a 1:49.3 in prelims, de Lucca swam the 200 free alone at the end of finals and posted a 1:48.73. That time should put him on the world championship team as a member of the 800 free relay. It's likely de Lucca will have to go through this process later in the week for the 100 freestyle. Today's events include the 200 breaststroke and the 100 butterfly, and the race of the day should be the men's 200 breast, which will feature at least three men in a tight battle for two spots on the world championship team.

The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in North Carolina is organizing a special fundraiser to help cover hospital costs for Nicole Gross, who was injured last week in the Boston Marathon bombing. Swimmers can donate money to participate in special coached workouts that last from 60 to 90 minutes on May 1, and all of the donations will go directly to the Gross family. This fundraiser is in addition to the website bestrongstaystrong.net, which has netted $70,000 so far in donations. And anyone who has had to pay hospital bills knows that barely scratches the surface.